Arsenal Youth the Future and the Present

New Year, Same Competitions, But A Fresh Arsenal?

While the Gunners’ Carabao Cup hopes have been dashed for this season, the FA Cup, Europa League and even Premier League (don’t scoff) remain (technically) up for grabs. All joking aside, at least two of these endeavors are absolutely reasonable to win, while the third might require a bit of help from the top of the table.

In order to get to where we need to go, might we endeavor to bring in more talent during the January window? While the rumor mill rumbles all year long, possible free agent signings like Diego Costa still prick the ears when one hears them.

While the desire for Houssem Aouar of Lyon has waned, other names remain available in the middle of the pitch where the boss surely is not seeing the creativity he needs from his midfielders, despite their undeniably proper effort.

Might we see something? I believe so, for I believe that some names will depart north London and if that is to be believed, then it becomes reasonable to assume that those players will need to be replaced both from internal and external sources.

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A name like Norwich’s Emi Buendia makes sense from all sides, but sending Joe Willock, even in a loan deal, would be a nonstarter for me; better to sell Shkodran Mustafi, Sokratis, Mesut Ozil (if at all possible), Calum Chambers and more, as well as to loan out others to make the wage space and transfer capital.

In the next four matches – one FA Cup and three league – one can easily seefour victories. Against Newcastle in the FA Cup next, Arsenal should once again utilize the young talent in tandem with select veterans and critical players. As the defending champions of this tournament, it is crucial that we come out with a swagger that demonstrates that we aim to win it once more.

After hosting Newcastle in the FA Cup 3rd Round, the Gunners will be welcoming Crystal Palace in a London derby on the successive Thursday. While Palace is no push over and has shown resilience and ability under Roy Hodgson, they should be no match for an Arsenal side that is properly rolling and functioning at a high level.

We then host Newcastle once more in the top-flight just days later; two succsesive victories in such short time against the same opponent is no easy feat, but it will have to be done for the club to continue the rise that it needs to remain in European contention next year.

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Traveling to Southampton will be likely the hardest of the short-term matches. They have looked good this season, and while it may have been easy to laugh them off earlier in the season, they remain persistent and a true nuisance to teams up and down the table. But four victories, or at least three and a draw, would be something to, in coordination with the previous stretch, truly build on.

But for any and all of these endeavors, whether in January or beyond, will need to be done with the integration and usage of our young starlets. They are pushing us to the places that we wish to go, and so we shouldn’t fight the urge to use them simply because they are not the massive names that we would like, yet.

As our stars continue to round into form this season, from Aubameyang and Lacazette, to Thomas Partey, Dani Ceballos and the recently ill Gabriel Magalhaes, the youth around them will sharpen and hone their own talents in the process.

With similar effects being reciprocated in the other direction, it will be difficult to stop Arsenal in the coming seasons, and possibly even in the second half of this season across England and Europe.